Holiday Dinner

[shrewsbury]

How many of us have family over or go to a home for a holiday dinner?

My house has been the place for these gatherings for 15 or so years now, now a days we have around 10-20 people over for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, New Years, and 4th of July.

Having no real family or at least big family of my own, my in-laws have been my family for around a quarter of a century. Grandpa and grandma were always there and grandpa always gave a blessing/prayer/thanks before dinner. when he died, grandma took over, then when she passed away a few years back, I have inherited the role.

how many of you do this over the holidays? i am curious how you react, if you bow your head, close your eyes, or what do you do if you don't pray or are atheist or whatever?

if you do give thanks how do you expect your non participating members to act?

[habsheaven]

My family has never said grace of any sort before a meal. On the few occasions (weddings) where it has occurred I did as I do in a church; play the part expected of me out of respect for those participating.

[Wickabee]

My mother's side of the family always says a prayer before eating. I learned at an early age to just shut up and wait the 15 seconds to eat. I don't so much bow my head as look at my plate.

[mrveggieman]

I haven't been back home for a few years but I do enjoy the family gatherings. When I became a vegetarian back in 2003 my momma made sure that there were plenty of vegetarian options for me. We always said grace before dinner and mentioned what we were thankful for.

[centrehice]

My wife is Jewish and goes to her Dad's place every Passover which almost always coincides with Easter. I will not kiss the ring, so I have been disowned.

My Father-In-Law somehow thought I would live my life based on his will, not my own. Lol.

When my folks were alive my Mom would cook a Turkey for our extended family, and go to Easter Sunday Mass.

[Star_Cards]

My immediate family never says grace. My dad's side does and always did growing up. My mother's side... never. I have some friends that say grace from time to time when I'm invited to dinner. I will bow my head and usually close my eyes. Sometimes I listen and sometimes I find myself daydreaming. I have no issue with other people praying before their dinner and will not do anything to disturb that.

As a kid we always went to the grand parents for easter... usually both and have a big dinner. We don't much celebrate now, but that's mostly because there aren't any kids in the family that live close.

[gsj68]

completely pagan here and the other part of the family have learned not to ask why i dont pray because i ask why you pray for a turkey and yourself when theres starving to death children? and when they say they care about the starving to death children,well then why do you cover your temple in gold? ect.

[shrewsbury]

who's got a temple covered in gold? thought Indiana Jones found the only one left.

[centrehice]

who's got a temple covered in gold? thought Indiana Jones found the only one left.

Golden Temple - Amritsar Punjab, India. It's a cool temple. Big Tourist attraction.

[gsj68]

who's got a temple covered in gold? thought Indiana Jones found the only one left.

Mormons and Catholics love the stuff,how many bazillions do you think is in the Vatican between gold,jewels and fine art?